President Bola Tinubu has appointed Aisha Garba as the new Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Talk of fixing square pegs into holes of similar coordinate diameter, the appointment of Madam Aisha Garba as Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education czar portends a good omen for the sector that has long been mismanaged due to the assignment of rounded pegs into square holes.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Garba, an international development expert with over 24 years of experience, has played a pivotal role in education initiatives across Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Kenya, the USA, and the UK.
Her extensive work includes managing education programs for the World Bank for over 15 years, where she oversaw projects from design to implementation and evaluation.
Having contributed to achieving Nigeria’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the past, Garba brings expertise in addressing education challenges in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
Her work has also connected governments, development organizations, and communities to create sustainable solutions in education.
Garba is a graduate of Petra American University in Jordan, holding a combined degree in English and Computer Studies. She later earned a Master’s in International Development from the University of Birmingham, UK.
Her leadership is expected to enhance the quality of basic education and prepare Nigerian children to compete on a global scale.
Aisha Garba is a Senior Education Specialist based in Abuja, Nigeria. She joined the World Bank in February 2013
